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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jul 27, 2007 |
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"Too much of a good thing is wonderful." -- Mae West
MATR is pleased to add the search engine capabilities of "Ligit" to each page. This new search engine will significantly improve the ability to readers to find specific stories or groups of stories from the 6 years of archived stories. Simply go to the bottom of any page for the Ligit interface. It does search through newsletters and categories as well so you may have to do a further search within the newsletter or category (Go to the tool bar and select "Edit" and then "Find in this Page") for the specific word or phrase you're seeking. Whether you find it useful or not so great, please let me know. My goal is to continually improve the ability to MATR readers to find information and examples of success that can help them improve the economy of our region. Please let me know if you have further suggestions to improve the site and newsletter. (Many thanks to John Masterson at http://www.modwest.com for implementing this functionality on MATR.) Thanks, Russ [email protected]
Come Home Montana
Come Home Nebraska
- Bridger Photonics: Tackling Meth With Technology
"Returning to Montana and being able to work on a project with so much potential benefit for the state has been a great homecoming for me," he said.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Entrepreneur, George Garlick offers Curtis, Nebraska another big boost
"We're kind of coming home again to try and enhance the program and enhance economic development in southwest Nebraska," said Garlick, who attended high school in Curtis and whose father worked as a janitor at the college.
Funding and Building your Business
- States work to plug 'brain drain'
The problem for states is there’s no sure-fire solution.
- Driver beware: Your commute could be killing you
Even as the stress mounts, we put up with it, since most of us can't afford to or don't want to live near our offices. We sacrifice our longevity for short-term gains."
Education
- Lawsuit Seeks to Shut Down Facebook
The three founders of ConnectU say Mark Zuckerberg agreed to finish computer code for their site, but repeatedly stalled and eventually created Facebook using their ideas.
- Venture capital goes green
The sector includes technologies for energy production, air and water treatment, efficiency improvements in industry, and waste management.
- How Madison Avenue Is Wasting Millions on a Deserted Second Life
Embedding Ads Into Games Seemed Like a Good Idea
- Some Free Advice for Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang
Experts at Wharton say that Yang's biggest priorities should be boosting employee morale and finding key insiders to promote into leadership roles.
- Dancing Elmo Smackdown
Companies are trying urgently to figure out how to do business in China, without risking their reputation, consumer trust, or customers’ lives.
- Angel investments are fueling Pacific Northwest energy sector
The Northwest Energy Angels™ accelerates energy investment in the region with seven deals funded in first half of 2007.
University TechTransfer
- English, Math Time Up in 'No Child' Era. 44% of Schools Polled Reduce Other Topics
In the five years since a federal law mandated an expansion of reading and math tests, 44 percent of school districts nationwide have made deep cutbacks in social studies, science, art and music lessons in elementary grades and have even slashed lunchtime, a new survey has found.
- Idaho task force aiming to make math more exciting
A northern Idaho educator says Idaho students are having a hard time because math isn't engaging enough.
- Status of Education in Rural America
This report presents a series of indicators on the status of education in rural America, using the new NCES locale classification system.
- Study: Rural students better in science
"Rural life is a little closer to nature."
- BSU gets $5.7 Million for health building
"We're turning away 500 people who want to be nurses because of lack of classroom space."
- CEOs to governors: Schools don't make the grade
"We're not competitive in our education programs," Randall Stephenson, chairman and chief executive of AT&T, told the National Governors Association annual meeting here. "Our education system is falling flat."
Connectivity & Communications
- New Vice Chancellor to focus on both research and economic development
"There is so much potential here," Scanes said in a telephone interview. "I am inherently an optimist, but also a realist. If I see the glass half full, I'll also be looking for ways to fill it up. And then I'll be looking for a bigger glass."
Incubators and R&D
- "Home Broadband Adoption 2007"
Internet use in rural areas trails the national average; 60% of rural adults use the Internet from any location, compared with the national average of 71%.
- Circuit breakers wipe out the Web
All it took to wipe out some of the Internet's biggest sites Tuesday was some faulty PG&E electrical breakers that caused a blackout in downtown San Francisco.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Incubator RoundUp: Building a Culture of Entrepreneurship
Business incubators, known for the business support services they provide entrepreneurs, have shown themselves through the years to be a valuable resource in the process of starting and growing companies.
- Battling biofilms brings together academics and industry at Montana State University conference
The conference is hosted by Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering, the oldest, largest and best-known biofilm research center in the world.
- Rehberg Secures $3.5 Million in Funding for the MARIAH II Program in Butte
“It’s critical that America remains on the cutting edge in developing new and innovative defense technology,” said Rehberg
- WSU Researchers Take ‘Swiss Roll’ Innovation to National Competition
May some day allow cell phones and other portable electronics to be powered for hundreds of hours instead of just a few.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- 4th Annual Montana CINE International Film Festival "The Last Best Film Fest", 10/1-7, Missoula, MT
We are contacting you now to offer you new, very affordable Sponsorship/Advertising Opportunities for the 4th Annual Montana CINE.
Montana Business
- Should States Support Angel Networks With Public Dollars?
Angel networks are often seen as an effective way to make sense of hodgepodge of individual investors, institutional funds and investment groups that make up the early-stage capital industry.
- Maine government steps in to foster venture funding
Maine Seed Capital Tax Credits. These credits let angel investors deduct 40 percent of their investments in Maine-based startups against their state income taxes; in areas of high unemployment, the deduction is 60 percent. When an investment goes sour, the investor can write off 100 percent of the money spent.
Montana Economic Development
- Despite illness, Montana fly rod craftsman hones his craft. "Some of the finest fly rods in the world - Tom Morgan Rodsmiths"
This is the home and workshop of legendary fly rod craftsman Tom Morgan and his wife, Gerri Carlson. Since February 1996 their shop has produced some of the finest fly rods in the world under the banner of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths.
- REC Silicon expansion expected
A newspaper in Moses Lake, Wash., has reported REC Silicon http://www.asimi.com/ is investing at least one-third of a $320 million expansion in Butte.
- Valve virtuosos / Heart surgeons from around the world gather in Missoula, Montana to debate latest tools and techniques. “Shootout in the Rockies.”
Some 140 attendees representing 32 states and eight countries considered a set of real-life cases during the first day of the two-day symposium.
- Bozeman's Kitch Walker of Ripple Marketing and Flat Earth Imports Selected for Italian Trade Delegation
Walker was selected as a member of a United States trade delegation invited to Italy by the Italian Trade Commission.
Regional Economic Development
- The Changing Structure of Montana's Economy: What is Tourism's Place?
This report seeks to illustrate recent trends in Montana’s economy by looking at changes in the employment structure and income, and to evaluate where tourism and recreation fit into the “New West.”
- “Going to the Sun” Car Rally Recognizes Madison Valley Hospital with Perpetual Trophy
Entering its third year, the Going to the Sun Car Rally has already gained notoriety as one of the top five rallies in the United States.
- New Montana World Trade Center Program Offers Tools, Resources for Global Trade Success
The program includes information on trends in today’s global economy, market entry strategies, financing mechanisms and resources, trademark and intellectual property protection tools, and much more.
- Montana World Trade Center Mission Set for South America - Aug. 11-18
The mission will help Montana business cultivate new markets and develop stronger relationships with existing clients through prearranged one-on-one meetings.
- Montana WIRED MAP Academy Registration, 8/14-16, Havre, MT
The Commerce WIRED program has nearly $3.5 million in grant funds available annually for customized worker training for businesses working with universities, colleges, high schools, and other training providers on specialized bio-product training and curriculum development. The program will also provide grants for WIRED eligible job training programs or projects that will enhance and expand the bio-product industry in the WIRED region.
- Montana Commerce Director Anthony Preite to Present More than $1.8 Million in Funding in Blaine County for Community Infrastructure Projects
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federally funded grant program designed to help communities with their greatest community development needs.
- MWTC E-News July 25, 2007
The Montana World Trade Center at The University of Montana and U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg will lead a trade mission to South America Aug. 11-18. Stops are planned for Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Santiago, Chile.
- Tiny Mont. town finally within cellphone range
"This is the first time ever I've been able to call my dad in Missoula and tell him I'm almost there," said Lee Ann Schmidt, 34, of Great Falls. As Schmidt spoke, her boyfriend's daughter, 16-year-old Allie Dunlop, was busy texting her best friend on her pink Razr.
- Billionaires in the air in Montana
Only time will tell, he says, but he wonders if deep pockets like Foley’s will start influencing local elections, like Whitefish’s upcoming mayoral and city council races.
- Losing what we love: Is it the end of Montana as we know it?
It may rub some of us wrong to think we’re losing our “freedom” to use as much water and energy as we want. But in the bigger picture, it should be obvious that the hard choices are upon us. We either cut back on our consumption and pollution or, in the not-too-distant future, we lose the very things we love most.
- "HomeTown Competitiveness And Sustaining Success In Tribal Economic Development", 9/11-13, Great Falls, Montana
"Personal note: I have attended many economic development trainings in the past 14 years. No doubt about it, the Heartland Center Hometown Competitiveness workshop is the best training I have ever received. The price is incredible at $125.00 - and you can submit for a MEDA Scholarship (before August 1st) too! Thank you, MDOC for bringing this training to Montana." Gloria O'Rourke, MEDA
Utah Economic Development
- Kid-friendly Utah fourth nationally for child well-being. Idaho 22nd, Montana 29th
Montana ranks 29th among the states for the well-being of its children and has the lowest infant mortality rate in the nation, a report released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation said.
- SBA NEWSLINE EIGHT-Current Edition
Small businesses bear a disproportionate share of the federal regulatory burden.
Government Technology
- Counties Collaborate to Fuel Entrepreneurial Development in Northern Utah
“We felt like this needed to be a regional strategy, not something that stops at the county line,” says Ann Millner, president of Weber State College. “We are trying to take people that are already here and create and develop growth.”
Idaho Business
- South Carolina Department of Commerce Boosts Investments and Job Creation with CRM Software
In its first year using newly-deployed customer management processes and technology, the agency has exceeded its job creation targets by 42 percent.
Washington State Business
- Nonprofit accepting applications for economic development grant program
Through this program, southwestern Idaho counties and cities, their agencies, and nonprofit economic development agencies may apply for grant funding in support of economic development projects.
- Tribe close to huge contract
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is close to signing a lucrative military contract to manufacture giant fuel storage units for the U.S. Army, sources said Thursday.
Wyoming Business
- Nokia snaps up Redmond's Twango
The two companies said they want to move as quickly as possible to ramp up Twango service, so that it can support hundreds of thousands of users on PCs and cellphones.
- Washington Technology Center Summer 2007 Newsletter
Washington Technology Center awards $499,938 in research funding
Government
- Supercomputer reps turn out for Frontier Days in Wyoming
The project is expected to bring at least 40 well-paid employees to the area and has been billed as a potential catalyst for tech development in southeast Wyoming.
- Wyoming wrangles with wealth, wildlife
"We have a bull's-eye on our back," Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal said. "I see it as an imbalance. The BLM has one objective and that is drilling. It wasn't always this way. There used to be some concern for habitat preservation, and I'm worried that's gone out the door."
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- Montan Pension Systems May Try Hedge Funds. As boomers begin to retire, managers need high returns
"That's what (they) indicated we needed to make our 8 percent return," said Carroll South, executive director of the board, which oversees investing for all state funds, including nine pension funds. "Over the last 12 years, we have slightly beaten the 8 percent requirement. But no one expects the public-equity market to return what it has going forward."
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Small Business Workshop Helps Agricultural Inventions See Fruition
“There are a lot of significant resources in the state of Utah available in those rural areas that would be better served with technology located there,” he says. “If you encourage companies and people located in those areas working with those resources to think about doing research and development, they can keep more of the profit at home.”
Careers
- Cat predicts deaths in nursing home
When Oscar curls up on a patient's bed and stays there, the staff knows it's time to call the family. It usually means the patient has less than four hours to live.
Energy
- How Blogs Are Changing The Recruiting Landscape
"Blogs are a tool in the tool kit."
- Half Of Tech Employers Looking To Fill Jobs By End Of 2007, Survey Finds
Nearly half of the IT employers queried said they currently have open job positions for which they cannot find qualified candidates.
Montana Education Excellence
- Clive Thompson Thinks: Desktop Orb Could Reform Energy Hogs
Within weeks, Orb users reduced their peak-period energy use by 40 percent. Why?
- Report blames global warming for heat
It's hot in Idaho and global warming is to blame.
- The Double Standard
So if our state-of-the-art wind generating towers can yield 16 megawatt-years of power per square mile, if we were to rely on wind power to accomplish Al Gore’s mandate, i.e., generate 50 quadrillion BTUs per year (1,670 gigawatt-years of electricity per year) using windmills, we would have to consume 104,000 square miles of land.
- PG&E makes major play for solar power
"People who have sort of looked down at renewables because it's nice and cute but small-scale will now see that the 800-pound gorilla in the room does not have to be a coal plant," said Dan Kammen, co-director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment at the University of California-Berkeley.
- Thin Film's Time in the Sun
First Solar's thin-film technology is now challenging silicon panels at large-scale solar-power facilities.
Community
- International education: Chinese businessmen attend summer training program at University of Montana
Professor Jeff Shay was charged with putting together a mini-MBA training program for the group in record time - a task complicated by the fact he had to organize a seven-week curriculum around the summer plans of 22 business school faculty. He also worked with various other entities to secure accommodations, transportation and activities for the Chinese businessesmen.
- Salish-Kootenai College will offer degree in education
Salish Kootenai College will be the first tribal college in Montana to offer a bachelor's degree in elementary education, according to the Montana Board of Public Education.
VIRUS ALERTS
- Center for Collaborative Solution's Developing Exemplary Practice Guide for Afterschool Programs
Afterschool programs represent an environment that can make a difference to children across the state.
- Portland, Oregon Among The Best Cities To Spend Your Golden Years
European charm meets environmental nirvana
- Storm Worm Erupts Into Worst Virus Attack In 2 Years
Storm worm authors are blasting the Internet with two types of attacks, and both are aimed at building up their botnet.
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